Just like much of the first week, the threat of rain hovers over the Cardinals home opener against the Reds Monday afternoon. Weather.com forecasts an 80 percent chance of precipitation.

The Cards return Monday to spruced-up surroundings, with the long anticipated opening of Ballpark Village offering diversions aplenty to help get through the waiting games. The $100 million first phase features several sports bars, five live performance stages, the team's Hall of Fame museum, rooftop seating and one of the larger indoor TV screens in the Midwest.

There'll be plenty of pomp and circumstance, too, with the team making a grand entrance into Busch Stadium on the back of convertibles that cruise around the warning track. Old hat for many, it'll be the first time for center fielder Peter Bourjos, acquired in the offseason.

"I've heard great things," Bourjos told the team's website. "I've heard the fans are unbelievable and I've heard Opening day is awesome. It's something I've been looking forward to for a long time."

Cardinals greats, clad in bright red sportcoats, consistently gather on opening day. Hall of Famers Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter, Red Schoendienst, Tony La Russa and Whitey Herzog are expected to attend the grand opening of the hall of fame museum several hours before the first pitch.

The Reds began the season with eight players on the 15-day disabled list, most in the majors.

Success in St/ Louis has been rare for the Reds. The Cardinals have dominated them at home with 25 series wins, three losses and two splits the last 30 meetings since 2003.

The Cardinals (3-3) have a steady early diet of NL Central contenders, taking two of three from the Reds and losing two of three in Pittsburgh. All three teams made the postseason last fall.

The game will be live streaming free atwww.stream2watch.me › baseball‎